What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSpinning
Tillie Walden · Book · 2017
If you loved Spinning, start with Heartstopper (Alice Oseman, 2022) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Spinning across media.
What hooked you in Spinning was the raw, vulnerable way you navigated the intersection of personal growth and high-stakes identity.
Films on the same thread
Moonlight
Barry Jenkins · Film · 2016
Shares 3 threads with Spinning: identity, self-discovery, first love.
Just as Spinning captures the quiet intensity of self-discovery, this film mirrors that journey through a tender, layered exploration of sexuality and the struggle to find one's true self.
Love, Simon
Greg Berlanti · Film · 2018
Shares 3 threads with Spinning: Coming Out, First Love, Identity.
If you appreciated the delicate process of coming out in Spinning, you will recognize that same pivotal, heart-wrenching experience of self-acceptance and first love depicted in this story.
Call Me by Your Name
Film · 2017
Shares 3 threads with Spinning: First love, Self-discovery, Coming out.
The intellectual and emotional awakening found in Spinning translates perfectly to this film, which captures the transformative, life-altering nature of a first love during a formative, fleeting summer.
Lady Bird
Greta Gerwig · Film · 2017
Shares 2 threads with Spinning: Self-Discovery, First Love.
Like the protagonist of Spinning, this character navigates the turbulent friction between personal identity and external expectations, making it an essential companion for your coming-of-age journey.
Series on the same thread
Heartstopper
Alice Oseman · Series · 2022
Shares 3 threads with Spinning: First Love, Self-Discovery, Identity.
The quiet, authentic progression of first love in Spinning finds a modern, joyful echo here as these characters navigate the complexities of friendship and self-discovery within a school setting.
Yuri!!! on Ice
Series · 2016
Shares a thread with Spinning: Self-Discovery.
You will find the same intersection of competitive pressure and personal evolution present in Spinning, as these skaters work to rekindle their passion while finding their own identities.
Heated Rivalry
Jacob Tierney · Series · 2025
Explores: Rivalry, Forbidden Love, Career Ambition.
This story mirrors the high-pressure environment of Spinning, exploring how the intensity of a competitive career can become inextricably linked with the discovery of forbidden, life-changing love.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Jenny Han · Series · 2022
Shares 2 threads with Spinning: First Love, Self-Discovery.
Much like the pivotal moments of change depicted in Spinning, this narrative captures the fragile, transformative nature of a summer that forces a young person to redefine themselves.
Podcasts on the same thread
OUT LOUD
Podcast
Shares a thread with Spinning: self-discovery.
If the introspective, diaristic nature of Spinning resonated with you, this podcast offers a similar space for raw, stream-of-consciousness reflection on the ongoing process of personal growth.
Making Space with Hoda Kotb
Hoda Kotb, TODAY · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with Spinning: Self-discovery.
The mental health and resilience themes that anchored Spinning are explored here through personal testimonies, providing a deeper look at the human strength required for true self-discovery.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Spinning a true story?
Yes, Spinning is a graphic memoir written by Tillie Walden. It documents her personal experiences with competitive figure skating and her journey of coming out while navigating the challenges of growing up.
What is the primary theme of Spinning?
The primary theme of Spinning is the process of coming-of-age. The graphic memoir explores the intersection of the author's competitive figure skating career and her personal development as she comes out.
How is Spinning categorized in terms of format?
Spinning is a graphic memoir. It uses the medium of sequential art and illustrations to tell the factual story of Tillie Walden's life, focusing on her time as a competitive figure skater and her coming-of-age experiences.
Does Spinning focus on competitive figure skating?
Yes, competitive figure skating is a central element of the narrative in Spinning. The book details the author's life within the sport while simultaneously exploring her identity and the personal growth associated with coming out.